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Description

This guitar was made by Granada luthier Juan Miguel Carmona, who is part of the Carmona family of professional flamenco players that includes Pepe Habichuela, Juan Habichuela, Josemi Carmona and the pop flamenco group "Ketama". Additionally, his father, Agustin Carmona is famously known as the best guitar varnisher in Granada during the entire second half of the twentieth century. Juan Miguel has been making both classical and flamenco guitars in Granada for nearly 40 years and is the protege of the great builder Rafael Moreno Rodriguez, who has been his primary mentor and friend since the mid-1970's when he built his first guitar under Moreno's supervision. He has in recent years become influenced by Miguel Rodriguez of Cordoba and in particular the system used by Pepe Romero Jr. in his construction.

In the Granada spirit, this instrument has a slightly more compact build to the body, is lightweight and therefore very fast responding and explosive even in the hands of a player with a lighter touch. Although it is "classical" in tone, its playability and responsiveness are "flamenco" in feel, and with the action lowered (the guitar features an extended saddle, which can slide back and forth to quickly and easily adjust the action), we believe it could serve exceptionally well as a flamenco negra - making for an extremely versatile instrument. The fit and finish of the guitar are extremely clean, and it features some very handsome materials including exquisite rosewood - not just used for the back and sides but also for the head veneer (both front and back of headstock) and bridge. We are delighted to be representing this veteran Granada maker in the US.